smitty88
American expat in Ecuador
Forum posts
59
About me
American
Lives in Otavalo
Registration: 30 August 2013
Ecuador's Pending New Immigration Law by Andrew242
Some noteworthy changes are the extension of the visitor permit from 90 to 180 days, simplification of the immigrant/non-immigrant visas and application processes most likely, also foreigners will be required to have health insurance for the ...
Thank you all but this is getting more and more complex and confusing. Which 60 month period? Starting when I return to Ecuador next month and going back five years? Starting now I will likely not live 5 more years. So if I returned to Ecuador July ... Read More
Ecuador's Pending New Immigration Law by Andrew242
Some noteworthy changes are the extension of the visitor permit from 90 to 180 days, simplification of the immigrant/non-immigrant visas and application processes most likely, also foreigners will be required to have health insurance for the ...
Looking at my passport, I cannot tell whether or not I may have been out of the country more than 90 days for either of the first two years after my 9-I was issued May 24th, 2009. I thought that I could presume that I had complied because I have ... Read More
Ecuador's Pending New Immigration Law by Andrew242
Some noteworthy changes are the extension of the visitor permit from 90 to 180 days, simplification of the immigrant/non-immigrant visas and application processes most likely, also foreigners will be required to have health insurance for the ...
I have US Kaiser HMO health insurance, which covers me anywhere, at least for emergency needs, but have found that my Kaiser co-pay is often about what I pay my Ecuadorian ophthalmologist and neurologist and is more than I pay my Ecuadorian GP, with ... Read More
Visas in Ecuador by James Caj
I do not know how the other Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices are working, but at least in Azogues all the processes are terribly slow and complicated!!! Big lines to get a ticket to submit your paperwork, I do not know why Cuenca office is not ...
This is either mistaken or misleading. I, as a California attorney could notarize your signature if we are both in Berkeley or in Quito, but what is noteworthy is that in the US all I am doing is certifying that you are the person who signed. It has ... Read More
Visas in Ecuador by James Caj
I do not know how the other Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices are working, but at least in Azogues all the processes are terribly slow and complicated!!! Big lines to get a ticket to submit your paperwork, I do not know why Cuenca office is not ...
I got my 9-I visa in 2009 although spending most of my time in Ecuador I've been coming and going with no thought about how long and where. A couple of months ago on leaving UIO immigration delayed me for some time, seemingly, but not clearly, ... Read More
Bank fund by samialqsaimi
Gentlemen, Currently I and my wife living in Kuwait and we're thinking to move to Ecuador. The question is if I put in the bank 100,000$, how much the fund is? I want to open small business like mini market or tourism office, is it ...
At Banco Internacional today I noticed that you can get 5-6% on US$100K, depending on the term, from 3 mos to a year. I did not know about the $33,000 limit on insurance or, for that matter, what it is worth at all. I am too chicken to deposit much ... Read More
Purchasing a Home by joelrobin
We are purchasing a home we found though friends in Ecuador. We are buying the home while in the USA and the Ecuadorian owner also lives in the USA. We have an Ecuadorian price on a well built home in the Vilcabamba area. The owner has requested ...
Well put, but it is also important not to forget that Ecuador is still, in many ways, a third world country. Official record keeping and processes are better than in many other countries but can still be a mess. For you possible amusement I will ... Read More
Wow! Quito in expensive. And know Spanish. by amerexpatteacher
We all hear and read about how inexpensive Ecuador is to live as a retiree. "It's much, much cheaper than in the United States." That's really great marketing. I live in Quito. I carefully look at the prices. Wow! Look at the ...
This post is replete with bad information, as I am sure anyone familiar with Ecuador can tell you. Does the poster have some agenda discouraging people from coming here? Or are they just incompetent? You can get a nice 3 bedroom apt in a decent area ... Read More
Buying paintings at Ejido park by vsimple
Anyone have any experience purchasing paintings from artists at Parque Ejido. Any information to give me an idea or to gauge prices would be helpful. I’ve seen similar art on Mercado Libre for around $125 for an abstract piece that is about ...
You can buy "Sunflowers" for maybe $US50 million and a "good copy" for maybe $20. Read More
Purchasing a Home by joelrobin
We are purchasing a home we found though friends in Ecuador. We are buying the home while in the USA and the Ecuadorian owner also lives in the USA. We have an Ecuadorian price on a well built home in the Vilcabamba area. The owner has requested ...
This has potential to become one big mess, but lacking details and time I cannot comment a lot. For one thing, I have been involved in several house sales here, none of which levied a 14% "IVA" tax. Also, a .8% lawyer fee could be a good ... Read More
GETTING A DRIVERS LICENSE IN ECUADOR 2016 (updated information) by EcuaAssist
Getting a Drivers License in Ecuador The topic of drivers licenses has been a recurrent topic in the last months. Since January 11th, 2016, the requisite of having to assist to driving lessons for three weeks, and approved it through theoretical ...
In Otavalo my mate went to take the written test. The examiner gave her all the answers then the clerk praised her for getting 100%. heh heh Read More
GETTING A DRIVERS LICENSE IN ECUADOR 2016 (updated information) by EcuaAssist
Getting a Drivers License in Ecuador The topic of drivers licenses has been a recurrent topic in the last months. Since January 11th, 2016, the requisite of having to assist to driving lessons for three weeks, and approved it through theoretical ...
I took my notarized documents to the county clerk in Alameda Count, Oakland, California where they apostilled the lot. They told me it was just to verify that the notarizing was legitimate. The whole system seems weird to me but it was easy enough ... Read More
GETTING A DRIVERS LICENSE IN ECUADOR 2016 (updated information) by EcuaAssist
Getting a Drivers License in Ecuador The topic of drivers licenses has been a recurrent topic in the last months. Since January 11th, 2016, the requisite of having to assist to driving lessons for three weeks, and approved it through theoretical ...
My Spanish is very poor and limited but I took the sample test in Spanish online a year or two ago now and passed it easily. Check it out. Read More
Cost of Living (Supermarket Prices) 2016 by vsimple
Below are supermarket prices from Supermaxi and Megamaxi in Quito for 2016. Almost all products are locally produced or made and the few that aren’t are mainly made in Colombia. This list should help give anyone interested in cost of living ...
Thanks. Interesting site, although often very inaccurate. For example, gasoline has been about $1.45/US gallon (diesel is $1.04/US gallon) everywhere since I moved there in 2008. I buy a big hand of bananas (over 2 lbs) for 50 cents and pay 90 ... Read More
Cost of Living (Supermarket Prices) 2016 by vsimple
Below are supermarket prices from Supermaxi and Megamaxi in Quito for 2016. Almost all products are locally produced or made and the few that aren’t are mainly made in Colombia. This list should help give anyone interested in cost of living ...
Supermarkets, especially in Ecuador, are for people who don't care about prices, except for items they find necessary and cannot find elsewhere. Prices at local open markets are generally orders of magnitude less. I will try to include photos of ... Read More
RETIRING IN ECUADOR, any other town like Loja? by june0627
hi, single, 69 with 2 small dogs. as soon as house sells, i will be on my way. loja sounds great. can you tell me of any other town with those attributes. where do i start here with my arrangements. also,how do i rent an apt. when i get there. ...
Posts by people who do not know what they are talking about gets tiresome. There are NO limiting factors in using a US bank in Ecuador (well, maybe some smaller US banks). When trying to buy something online or at Expedia my partner, with Ecuadorian ... Read More
RETIRING IN ECUADOR, any other town like Loja? by june0627
hi, single, 69 with 2 small dogs. as soon as house sells, i will be on my way. loja sounds great. can you tell me of any other town with those attributes. where do i start here with my arrangements. also,how do i rent an apt. when i get there. ...
I have lived near Otavalo since 2009 and never felt the need to open an account in a bank in Ecuador. The ATMs have always worked fine for me. I have 3 US debit cards in case there is trouble with one. You can use US checks in Ecuador and wire ... Read More
GETTING A DRIVERS LICENSE IN ECUADOR 2016 (updated information) by EcuaAssist
Getting a Drivers License in Ecuador The topic of drivers licenses has been a recurrent topic in the last months. Since January 11th, 2016, the requisite of having to assist to driving lessons for three weeks, and approved it through theoretical ...
I have seen a number of posts here that seem more self-serving than helpful. Although this may not be one of them, it is nonsense to the point of being silly to say something like, "The law is the law... Just because your in Ecuador do you ... Read More
GETTING A DRIVERS LICENSE IN ECUADOR 2016 (updated information) by EcuaAssist
Getting a Drivers License in Ecuador The topic of drivers licenses has been a recurrent topic in the last months. Since January 11th, 2016, the requisite of having to assist to driving lessons for three weeks, and approved it through theoretical ...
I've been driving in Ecuador since late 2008, where I lived since 2009. For the first several years I just had my California license. Although I never had a problem with it I later for an international AAA license (about $20 in NY). I circled ... Read More
Shortcuts to Learning español by cccmedia
If you understand some basic concepts, it's possible to learn or translate easily hundreds of nouns, adjectives and adverbs into Spanish. The spelling of the following English words (at the left) does not change at all from English to Spanish. ...
Look up the prices and reviews on Amazon.com, including one I just made. I think you can even listen to a sample there. Read More
Shortcuts to Learning español by cccmedia
If you understand some basic concepts, it's possible to learn or translate easily hundreds of nouns, adjectives and adverbs into Spanish. The spelling of the following English words (at the left) does not change at all from English to Spanish. ...
Very good tips. I like the Michel Thomas 10 CD starter Spanish set, inexpensive (I bought a used set), easy to use and effective. Read More
Rehab around Quito or Ibarra by smitty88
Can anyone direct me to, or recommend, an inpatient rehab facility around Quito or Ibarra for a problem with alcoholism? Any idea how much a month stay/program would cost here?
Thank you! She is a citizen and has cedula. Cost is not a main consideration, assuming it would be considerably less than in the US. Read More
Rehab around Quito or Ibarra by smitty88
Can anyone direct me to, or recommend, an inpatient rehab facility around Quito or Ibarra for a problem with alcoholism? Any idea how much a month stay/program would cost here?
Thank you, but there surely must be one in or near Quito. It feels urgent. Read More
Rehab around Quito or Ibarra
Can anyone direct me to, or recommend, an inpatient rehab facility around Quito or Ibarra for a problem with alcoholism? Any idea how much a month stay/program would cost here? Read More
Proof of pension- certify by consulate or apostille? by johnplov
I'm working on gathering documents for a revista pension, and I've run across sites which say it has to be certified at an Ecuadorian consulate, and others that say it can be apostilled by th US State Department. The nearest Consulate is ...
I am skeptical of this advice. I used a "Social Security Benefits Verification Letter' that I got directly from SS with no problem. Also, it is NOT just the federal government that apostilles documents/signatures. I had mine done at the ... Read More
Proof of pension- certify by consulate or apostille? by johnplov
I'm working on gathering documents for a revista pension, and I've run across sites which say it has to be certified at an Ecuadorian consulate, and others that say it can be apostilled by th US State Department. The nearest Consulate is ...
The writer here is confusing things. An apostille is a guarantee of the validity of a signature. In California it can be done by county clerks. (see: http://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/authentication/). A proof of pension is usually from Social Security ... Read More
Help! "I'm an Amazon Addict"! by cccmedia
New member and book-lover BC45 in Jacksonville, Florida, has just introduced himself as a frugal-living retiree, age 70. He is falling in love with Cuenca from afar, but won't be able afford to satisfy his book addiction if he has to pay the ...
I stand by what I said and think it is good, or even essential, advice, but suppose the bookstore bit was a bit of an unnecessary cheap shot. Of course! Ask all kinds of questions. As Albert Schweitzer said, when asked if he didn't get tired of ... Read More
Help! "I'm an Amazon Addict"! by cccmedia
New member and book-lover BC45 in Jacksonville, Florida, has just introduced himself as a frugal-living retiree, age 70. He is falling in love with Cuenca from afar, but won't be able afford to satisfy his book addiction if he has to pay the ...
Netflix works fine here and can be cheaper. Read More
Help! "I'm an Amazon Addict"! by cccmedia
New member and book-lover BC45 in Jacksonville, Florida, has just introduced himself as a frugal-living retiree, age 70. He is falling in love with Cuenca from afar, but won't be able afford to satisfy his book addiction if he has to pay the ...
Another potential expat talking about moving to Ecuador seemingly without having been here??? First learn a bit about the country and get some Spanish. Then spend at least six months here to see if it really is a good fit for you so you won't ... Read More
Preparing to Take the EC Drivers Test by cccmedia
That would be the [i]Examen Teórico[/i] required of all new Gringo drivers in [i]La República.[/i]It's a 20-question multiple-choice test offered up by ANT, La Agencia Nacional de Tránsito, the Ecuador DMV. The questions ...
My Spanish is weak and poor. I passed the online Spanish language test easy and passed it with 100%. with no studying or prep. Correct answers seemed obvious. Read More
Safety in Ecuador by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Ecuador? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think there ...
Good tips. I an 77 and have traveled a lot, in the US as well as worldwide and only experienced two incidents. Once, walking from my Berkeley house at night for a slice of pizza I suddenly felt two guys making a move on me. I walked quickly ... Read More
Safety in Ecuador by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Ecuador? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think there ...
I've traveled a lot around the world. I sometimes keep my dummy wallet (with expired credit cards, photos, and a small amount of cash) in my pocket and sometimes an expired passport as well. Never had to use it. Only time I felt really ... Read More
Safety in Ecuador by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Ecuador? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think there ...
I have lived in Ecuador for most of 6 years, mostly near Otavalo but with considerable time in Quito and have never felt personally threatened but know numerous others who have been victims of theft - most recently smart phone grabbed through open ... Read More
How to get an Ecuador Residency Visa 9-1 – Pensioner by Paul Acee
I did my own and laid out the whole process for anyone interested. paulacee.com/2015/03/27/how-to-get-an-ecuador-residency-visa-9-1-pensioner/
There are other ways you can show the requisite income but it can take a little creativity. When I applied I only showed about $600 from SS as most of my income is from rentals an other investment so I had my friend, who manages some of the ... Read More
Healthcare in Ecuador by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Ecuador ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Ecuador? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
It's a crapshoot. Four stories: 1. My California Kaiser insurance opthamologist removed a dewflap (a small skin flap growth) in his office from my lower eyelid. My copay was $30. Several years later in Ecuador it came back. An opthamologist at ... Read More
Robbed/Scammed By Farmer's Market Vendor by wlae84
This really has been bothering me. I have to get this off my chest... So I went to the farmer's market yesterday. I gave the old lady 50 cents and took 5 oranges. She took the oranges out of my bag, put them back in the bin. And then put her ...
Just stick to mega maxi then. Read More
Metro Movements: Bus Bits & Taxi Tips by cccmedia
The Expat World is invited to provide guidance, advice and slice-of-life moments re travel around town in Quito, Cuenca, Guayaquil and other places*. Taxi Tip: I never enter a taxi here in Quito without first verifying that the taxista will be ...
Taxis are incredibly inexpensive (well, maybe not to the airport) and over 6 years I have had very little trouble over payment. The only hassle has been when they do not want to go where I want them to go (like from the north to Old Town area during ... Read More
Ecuador Residency by WVolpe3
We are going to be fleeing Ukraine (my Ukraine wife, my Ukraine son, and myself an American) and we want to become residents in Ecuador. I know there is a "professional" / "work" residency option and I have my college ...
An easier option might be an investment visa. Unless the amount has changed since I got my (retiree) visa all you need invest is US$25,000. Asylum visas can be subject to changing political winds so if you do want to try that I would suggest you ... Read More
looking to move to Cotacochi/Ibarra by the end of 2015 by Joanneinict
Hi All, My name is Joanne, and I'm looking to move to Cotacochi/Ibarra by the end of 2015, if everything works out as planned. Right now I am finishing up a Master's Degree, and will defend my thesis in January. I thought about coming on a ...
There may be 800 expats who BOUGHT in Cotacachi, but most seem to be invisible. The to town is very pleasant but the condo complexes in the area feel like small gated ghost towns. If what you are looking for is cheaper living in where you can hang ... Read More
Crime Rate in Ecuador by DXBDINO28
I am considering moving to Ecuador but after reading this article https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=13476 I am bit scared . How true is the article? Can Expats please tell me is it safe for family life? Thanks
I lived in Ecuador for six years and never experienced theft or other crime although heard of frequent theft in the Mariscal district of Quito. One friend's house in Quito was burglarized (my house in Berkeley, California, has been burglarized ... Read More
50% Discounts for Senior Flights and other activities by smitty88
I have been unable to find a forum discussing Ecuador's legally required senior discounts, especially for air fare, even though it seems to it would be a popular topic. My understanding, which I would like to see confirmed or corrected by OTHER THAN ...
As I posted before:" It is not necessary to buy the tickets at the airport. At both the LAN and American Airlines offices in Quito I was told directly by an agent there that I could buy the tickets at the Quito offices. I think I did get the ... Read More
Traveler Checks vs Prepaid Debit cards by retiranlovingit
I will be moving to EC the beginning of next year and not wanting to carry a lot of cash I was wandering what is better to carry for ease of use travelers checks or prepaid debit cards. I also will have a debit/Visa card linked to my bank here in ...
I've lived in Ecuador for almost 6 years. ATMs are almost everywhere and the charges are minimal (my bank refunds all of them every month). Travelers' checks are a waste and there is no reason to open a local checking account. I keep two ... Read More
50% Discounts for Senior Flights and other activities by smitty88
I have been unable to find a forum discussing Ecuador's legally required senior discounts, especially for air fare, even though it seems to it would be a popular topic. My understanding, which I would like to see confirmed or corrected by OTHER THAN ...
No, it is not necessary to buy the tickets at the airport. At both the LAN and American Airlines offices in Quito I was told directly by an agent there that I could buy the tickets at the Quito offices. I think I did get the discount once through ... Read More
50% Discounts for Senior Flights and other activities by smitty88
I have been unable to find a forum discussing Ecuador's legally required senior discounts, especially for air fare, even though it seems to it would be a popular topic. My understanding, which I would like to see confirmed or corrected by OTHER THAN ...
I confirmed this with LAN, and American airlines at their offices in Quito. It is CLEAR that it applies to ALL flights beginning and ending in Ecuador and I have used it twice but am surprised that there seems to be either no interest in this topic, ... Read More
What Car Models are common in Ecuador by sfriedman39
I'd like to know what types ares cars they sell in Ecuador (i.e. Toyota, Ford, Subaru, etc). Generally what is the cost of cars new and used there.
We bought a new Hyundai Atos in 2006 for a bit over $10K. Maneuverable, good mileage, low power but good gearing. Now I think around $12K. 66K Km on it now. You can pay more but why? Read More
50% Discounts for Senior Flights and other activities by smitty88
I confirmed the fact that legal Ecuadorian residents over 65 (with cedula) are entitled to 50% discounts for all flights on all airlines (excluding taxes and fees) beginning and ending in Ecuador at both the LAN and American Airlines offices in ...
Some participants do not seem able to understand simple English. Yes, there was a pvs discussion, with inept and wrong replies. I quoted both the English and Spanish versions of the law. As I thought was clear I said, "I confirmed the fact that ... Read More
50% Discounts for Senior Flights and other activities by smitty88
I confirmed the fact that legal Ecuadorian residents over 65 (with cedula) are entitled to 50% discounts for all flights on all airlines (excluding taxes and fees) beginning and ending in Ecuador at both the LAN and American Airlines offices in ...
As I said above, "I recently automatically got the discount when I bought round trip tickets UIO-LAX through Expedia." That means that I GOT the discount, although I am not confident for the future. Read More
50% Discounts for Senior Flights and other activities
I confirmed the fact that legal Ecuadorian residents over 65 (with cedula) are entitled to 50% discounts for all flights on all airlines (excluding taxes and fees) beginning and ending in Ecuador at both the LAN and American Airlines offices in ... Read More
Extending our 90-day Tourist Visas by e&p
***Do this with more than 30 days left on your first 90-day tourist visa.*** We just lengthened our stay by extending our 90-day tourist visas to 90 day 12-IX (12-9) visas in Cuenca. While this is not a difficult process, it requires some running ...
"John" must be living on another planet. "Cooking up paperwork" is universally standard practice on Planet Earth. What this means is creating the paperwork to match the situation. Although my 'real' income is many times what is required, documenting ... Read More
Extending our 90-day Tourist Visas by e&p
***Do this with more than 30 days left on your first 90-day tourist visa.*** We just lengthened our stay by extending our 90-day tourist visas to 90 day 12-IX (12-9) visas in Cuenca. While this is not a difficult process, it requires some running ...
I do not understand the problem. Even if the requirement actually now is $1000, $958 plus $500-600 is well over that amount. When I got my retiree visa I showed only $600 from SS and cooked up papers to document $1200 as we were advised to show a ... Read More
Dental costs by BobH
I'm getting some dental work done here in the Philippines before heading back to the States in October. What I don't finish up here, I will probably get done in Quito. I just had three fillings done for 1500 pesos (about $35). What is the ...
Several years ago I had a crown done in Otavalo for US$140 my California dentist said would cost $1100 there. On return visit he said it looked like very good work and commented that he had seen good work from Latin American in general. Read More
Dental costs by BobH
I'm getting some dental work done here in the Philippines before heading back to the States in October. What I don't finish up here, I will probably get done in Quito. I just had three fillings done for 1500 pesos (about $35). What is the ...
Try the Finnish supported eye care center in Quito Read More
50% Discounts for Senior Flights and other activities
I have been unable to find a forum discussing Ecuador's legally required senior discounts, especially for air fare, even though it seems to it would be a popular topic. My understanding, which I would like to see confirmed or corrected by OTHER THAN ... Read More